In the short story "Flight Patterns", Sherman Alexie describes how the protagonist, William, a Spokane Indian, struggles every day to escape the all too common stereotypes society places him under. This story takes place in Washington D.C. during the year after 9/11, which most likely justifies why racial profiling and stereotyping was extremely commonplace in the story around this time. It can be seen that Americans were brought closer together by this tragedy because they were banded by a common
The story “Flight Patterns” is a short story in which Sherman Alexie, the author, presents Native American literature which is new around this time in age. William Cline, the main character represents your stereotype native American. This story takes place post 9/11; therefore, the level of security has been increased greatly along with the amount of hostility towards darker skinned people. William describes how he feels out of place because he has all the traits of a native American but he feels
The essay that I am writing stems from the short story by Sherman Alexie titled “Flight Patterns”. In this story it gives us some insight on even though people are subjected to discrimination, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. The story starts out by explaining how the main character “William” is a Spokane Indian. But, not just a typical Indian. He didn’t live on the reservation or have any ties to any Indian Casino, instead he was his own man. William had a demanding job that made
after the events of 9/11. In Sherman Alexie’s short story “Flight Patterns”, these burdens are exemplified through a fictional story of a man of color, or to be more specific, a Native American. This character’s name is William. William is a workaholic businessman whose job requires him to constantly take flights to different locations. Throughout the story, we see the life of a minority through William’s eyes as he wakes up to take another flight and complete his daily routine. On the way to the airport
“Flight Patterns” by Sherman Alexie focuses on the conversation between the main character, William, and his taxi cab driver, Fekadu, while on their way to the airport. Their conversation shows how quick society is to judge someone without even knowing a thing about them. William in “Flight Patterns” portrays how people stereotype each other based on race by the use of character, setting, and point of view. William is the main focus of this short story and he is characterized as a very well dressed
experience that makes a person. This is especially true for individuals who are actively members of multiple societies, such as ethnic minorities. The quest for a reconciliation of multiple identities is at the heart of Sherman Alexie 's short story, “Flight Patterns.” William Loman is a man struggling with his identity not only as a husband and father, but also as a member of the Spokane Nation, the American Nation, and greater humanity. In the New York Times article “Without Reservation,” Jess Row writes
The Profiling of “Flight Patterns” Profiling people can cause a brick wall to be built between one another, a wall that cannot be easily knocked down. The bricks come down as the person doing the profiling sees beyond physical appearance. When the wall comes down a transparent window forms with a beautiful view. There is more to a person than their exterior, just like there is more to a room than walls. When profiling someone, people do not see past the brick wall; they build it higher and higher
“We’re all trapped by other people’s ideas” (Alexie 63). Labels that are put on people limit them to succeed because they are so worried about themselves and have no confidence to strive for their dreams and reach their limits. In the short story “Flight Patterns” by Sherman Alexie, the story focuses on how individuals are treated due to their skin color. Alexie uses elements such as characters, plot, and tone to communicate the idea that due to racism Americans often misjudge each other. William, the
Beliefs and values are the characteristics in humans that help determine how one reacts to their surroundings. In the story, “Flight Patterns” by Sherman Alexie, William, being of Spokane descent and a constant target of discrimination, his beliefs heavily influence his behavior throughout the story. William’s value of family, heritage and his compassion can be seen as influencers in the story. As and the make to me by we are now saved in the touch I can wait. As William is first being introduced
Alexie and Phil Klay’s Books Even though, we are slowly but surely putting an end to terrorism in the United States because in the story by Phil Klay "Redeployment"; he uses vulgar language to get his points across. In Sherman Alexie's story "Flight Patterns”, he shows us in his story that everyone is not bad just because they are a different race. Each story allows you to visualize different points of views such as terrorism and can led you back to post 9-11 and how the world was spilt apart. Phil